Sunday, June 29, 2008

VINTAGE SWIMSUITS, an obsession...

I finished my first Maisy Brown Repro Vintage swimsuit last week (see previous entry) and have now officially descended into OCD mode over vintage swimsuits in general! I've been surfing the net looking for inspiration, to get my ideas focused, and have found some gorgeous things; just look at this wonderful vintage pattern for a drop waist, skirted or bloomer-type one piece:



Isn't it wonderful!! Love how it cinches and shapes the figure. And check out this wonderful old advertisement for Catalina swimsuits (just as fabulous as Jantzen, in my opinion):



Then there's this very smart swing-era (1940s) swimsuit with square-shouldered cover-up, which is basically a very cute bra and Wonder-woman style trunks, with ruching up the sides. It would be easily made in woven fabric and no doubt very flattering:



So, fired up and all excited about my first success, I've almost finished my second vintage-inspired swimsuit: a one piece with sweet-heart shaped, pleated shelf-bust, made from authentic 1950s cotton polka-dot fabric with scattered rosebuds, which is simply gorgeous! Here it is in various stages of construction:









The photos (both with and without flash) don't do it justice at all! I'm hoping to get it finished today. I intend to make a short wrap skirt to go over the top of it as a cover-up, in either a flared or close-fitting sarong style. It's a one-of-a-kind fully-lined suit made with genuine vintage fabric and trims, approximately a US size 6, so if anyone is interested in getting first dibs, do email me at shayne_binqi@yahoo.com.au, as once it's gone, it's gone! I'll be listing it in my etsy store (maisybrownreproretro.etsy.com) in the next day or two.
Then I might be able to get around to finishing this cute 70s style terry-towelling bikini:

4 comments:

Veronica Darling... said...

LOVE IT! Well done! I've never come across a swimsuit pattern in my thrifting, so great job on the finished items! Love them!

Maisy Brown said...

Thank you so much! Yes, the swimsuit patterns are hard to find, which is why I've been studying, researching and improvising from my vast collection of vintage patterns. I'm almost finished the latest one-piece, it's really cute!

lyptis said...

hey maisy!
ure very skilled! great construction in all ur pieces!
and very fun!:)

Leah said...

That suit is just gorgeous!! Clever you!